Access

The Lyric Hammersmith is a fully accessible building, which provides a wide variety of accessible performances including Audio Described and Open Captioned performances for every main house production and also BSL and Relaxed performances for some shows. You can also take part in one of our integrated or specialist classes.

The Lyric Hammersmith has two theatres: the Main House, which seats 550 and the Studio, our smaller, more intimate studio space, which seats 110 people.

The Lyric is fully equipped with elevators to the Main House, Studio and Reuben Foundation Wing.

The Lyric has a range of toilet facilities available including all-gender, gender specific and private accessible toilets in our café, on the Stalls level, on our balcony level near the creative space, and a ‘Changing Places’ toilet in the Reuben Foundation Wing. We also have a baby change facility and accessible toilet on our first floor near the entrance to the Reuben Foundation Wing.

Buying a Ticket

When booking accessible seating and performances we do ask that you get in touch directly with our Box Office Team so that we can best advise on seats suitable to your requirements.

You can contact us in a variety of different ways either by phone on 020 8741 6850, via the Next Generation Text Service on 18001 020 8741 6850, via email access@lyric.co.uk or you can pop into the theatre in person.

Our upcoming performances can be found on our website on the ‘What’s On’ page, which details age suitability and a short synopsis of the performance. We also have leaflets available at the Box Office.

Getting to the Lyric

All of Hammersmith’s Underground lines (District, Piccadilly, Circle and Hammersmith and City) have good wheelchair access. We are about 200 yards from all tube stations and the Broadway bus station with the route being level access.

The nearest disabled parking spaces to the Lyric are in the King’s Mall shopping centre car park on Level 6 and 7. There is currently some building work taking place at Kings Mall so to get to the Lyric the best option is to leave the carpark by the Beadon Road exit and turn right, Lyric Square is a short walk from there.

Access Performances

Audio Described Performances

Audio description gives additional commentary during a performance, describing things like body language and facial expressions, costume, scenery and action sequences. This service may be useful for people who are blind, visually impaired or partially sighted.

Before each audio described performance we also provide a touch tour. Touch tours give you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the set and costumes before the show to enhance your enjoyment of the production. They usually last about an hour and are held before the performance. Spaces are limited, so please let us know if you would like to attend when booking your tickets.

Guide dogs are welcome in the building. If you would like to take your dog into a performance please let us know when booking your ticket.

Open Captioned Performances

For certain performances we provide Open Captions. Captions are similar to television subtitles. The actors’ words appear on a display unit placed in the set or next to the stage, at the same time as they are spoken or sung. Speaker names, sound effects and offstage noises are also shown. This service may be useful for people who are D/deaf, deafened or hard of hearing.

BSL interpreted performances

We offer British Sign Language interpreted performances for certain shows. When booking your tickets, please mention that you will be using this service so we are able to allocate you seats with a clear view of the signer.

Both of our theatres have a Sennheiser infra-red audio enhancement system. You can collect a headset from a member of our Visitor Services team. If you’d like to use the Sennheiser system please tell the ticket office when you book your tickets so they are able to advise you on the best possible seating.

Relaxed performances

Relaxed Performances are specifically planned and programmed to welcome guests who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including guests on the Autistic Spectrum, guests with sensory and communication disorders, guests with a learning disability or parents who want to attend our performances with young children.

There is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement in the auditorium and we make some small changes to the light and sound effects to accommodate the needs of our guests. We open up break-out spaces in the building including our well-equipped Sensory Space for guests who may want some me-time away from the action on stage.

An easy way to understand the atmosphere is perhaps, ‘the opposite of the quiet carriage on the train’ in a completely inclusive environment.

You can also download a Visual Story detailing what to expect when you arrive at the Lyric by clicking here.

We’d Love to Hear From You

If you have any further questions or would like to provide any feedback we’d love to hear from you. Please contact our Box Office on 020 8741 6850, via email access@lyric.co.uk or via the Next Generation Text Service on 18001 020 8741 6850 receive the guide in one of these formats.

Join the access list

By filling in this form you are agreeing to receive emails from the Lyric regarding Access Performances.